That brought the total ticketed attendance for the 9-day run to 795,416, a 3.1-percent increase over 2012’s total of 770,932. NAIAS Chairman Jim Seavitt said the 2013 figure is the highest since 2004 when 808,833 came out to see the latest in car designs and technology.

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“This was a true celebration of the automobile, and a demonstration of the strength and resiliency of the auto business,” said Seavitt in a statement. “The Detroit show is a true reflection of a strong, vibrant and more confident industry.”

Fifty-nine vehicles were introduced during the show, including 50 worldwide and nine in North America. More than 5,200 journalists from 60 countries ventured to the Motor City for the annual auto extravaganza, which had an estimated $365 million economic positive impact on the region.

Seavitt said the NAIAS continues to be positioned along with shows in Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai and Tokyo because of the number of journalists that attend, and the number of worldwide product introductions that are made in Motown.

“Twenty-five years ago the Detroit Auto Dealers Association made a promise to the global manufacturers,” he said in a statement. “We said, ‘you bring the unveilings, and we’ll bring the media.’

“I think it’s safe to say we kept our promise,” he said.

Perhaps the most popular attraction during preview week and the public show was the 2014 Corvette Stingray. On the day the show opened to the public, ticket-buyers literally ran to see the display of the vehicle that carries a 450-horsepower engine that can go from zero to 50 in under four seconds.